France came from behind to beat England 2-1 in a crucial women's Euro 2025 qualifier in Newcastle on Friday, while world champions Spain won 2-0 in Denmark thanks to a goal from Jenny Hermoso.
European champions England took the lead after 30 minutes at St James' Park when Arsenal's Beth Mead scored after the ball was loose in the box.
But Elisa de Almeida volleyed in a corner to level the score before half-time and then Paris Saint-Germain striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto stunned the home crowd with a brilliant shot from inside the penalty area to put France ahead midway through the second half.
France continued to hang on and won three straight matches to take the lead in Group 3 of Ligue A, with the top two teams qualifying directly to next year's European Championship in Switzerland.
The result moves England level on four points with Sweden, who beat Ireland 3-0 in Dublin, and could complicate the winner's chances of reaching the final.
France coach Herve Renard praised the performance, saying it sent an “important signal” to their rivals.
“It may not have been France's best game but we proved that we are strong on the road.”
“It's a reward for teamwork,” Renard added, calling it “the best way to prepare for the Olympic Games” in Paris this summer.
“It's very disappointing. We should have won the game. No matter how good the goal is, there are chances to stop it. The first goal was great, the second was great too. It's disappointing. We need to be better on the second balls,” England coach Sarina Wiegman said.
Chelsea's Johanna Lytting Kannellid scored twice for Sweden, before and after Fridrina Rolfo's goal, while Ireland remain bottom of the table and without a point at the halfway point of the season.
France and England meet again on Tuesday in Saint-Etienne and Sarina Wiegmann's side know they cannot afford to suffer another defeat.
Friday's win will be a major encouragement for coach Herve Renard's France as they prepare to win gold at the next Olympics on home soil, with Spain and Germany the other European contenders.
– Protesters postpone Israel match –
Spain took the lead in Denmark with a goal from Hermoso before Mariona Cardentay converted a penalty to make it three wins in Group 2.
The World Cup winners, who feature several of Barcelona's Champions League-winning squad despite Aitana Bommati remaining on the bench, are currently three points behind group leaders Denmark.
Belgium then picked up their first points with a 2-1 win in the Czech Republic.
Meanwhile, Germany recovered from an early deficit to beat Poland 4–1, with two goals from Julia Gwinn, to claim maximum points in Group 4.
In the same group, Austria and Iceland drew 1-1, while group one leaders the Netherlands beat Finland 1-0 and Norway was held to a goalless draw by Italy.
Meanwhile, Scotland's League B Group 2 qualifier match between Israel in Glasgow was postponed for more than 30 minutes after protesters escaped security at Hampden Park and chained themselves to the goalposts.
Friday's match in Glasgow was played behind closed doors, as was the “return” match in Hungary on June 4.
The decision comes against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza.
But on Friday, amid pro-Palestinian protests outside the Scottish National Stadium, it emerged that someone had entered the arena and clung to one of Hampden's goalposts with a heavy-looking chain around their neck, just before the scheduled 18:05 GMT kick-off.
Protesters wearing “Red Card for Israel” T-shirts were eventually removed before both teams took to the field for the second warm-up, with the match eventually kicking off at 18:36 GMT.
Scotland won the match 4-1.
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